Welcome to Year 1

1. Welcome to Year 1

2. Staff • Ms Gore & Mrs Stewart - class teachers • Mrs Watson - teaching assistant • Mrs O’Dell – group work in afternoons • Mrs Williamson – Tuesday afternoons

3. First day – a happy one! • Please be positive with your children in preparing them for Year 1 and explain to them what will happen ~ talk about the teachers, other children, playtimes, lunches, sitting down, tidy-up time • Children will line up on the playground when the bell rings and I will meet them and take them to class. • Most children, even if initially upset, soon become distracted by their surroundings and settle down.

4. Morning Organisation • Children need to hang their coats on coat pegs and bring their blue book bags into the classroom. • Please encourage independence by giving them their bags to line up with outside. • May be upset leaving you but it soon stops! • They enter the classroom, put personal things away and begin Busy Fingers, activities to help co-ordination and control. • Class will then gather on the carpet for registration.

5. In the Class • Children will work in groups based on ability, friendships, self chosen … • Will have opportunity through day for whole class and small group activities • There will not be as much outdoor play due to space and staffing • Children will begin working in books in a more formal way

6. Afternoons • More whole class work in the afternoons with P.E., R.E, Music, Computing, Topic work • Topic work might be Geography, History, Science, Art, Technology … • Lessons in Literacy and Maths will also be linked to the whole school topic wherever possible

7. Practical Details • Please ensure all uniform is labelled with child’s name, especially PE kit • Children need to bring a coat to school • Packed lunches in named lunch box (children will put these on the lunch trolley as they come in) • No chocolate, sweets, fizzy drinks • Children will need a water bottle with water in which will be kept in the classroom • We provide fruit for snack time

8. Practical Details • At the end of the day the children will sit at their tables and come to the door as I call them (It may take some time for me to match the parents to the child!) • If, for some reason, someone different is picking your child up, please let me know via Link Book. • If children are regularly going to Home from Home, Pooh Corner let me know and I will add it to the Hometime list • Children will be very tired initially, school is hard work and they will be on the go the whole day!

9. Medical Matters • Any sickness, diarrhoea, must be followed by 48 hrs absence. • Head lice are common! Please check regularly and treat as recommended. • Any absence requires a note or telephone call explaining why. • Any medicines can only be administered if they are prescribed by a doctor and by prior arrangement with the office staff.

10. In General • We operate an open door policy and are always pleased to see any parent requiring information or advice. • Best time to catch me is after school on Monday, Wednesday or Thursday • Please use the Link Book as well for any notes or comments – these are checked every day.

11. There will be a ‘Meet the Teacher’ meeting in September to talk about the topics and timetables • Any questions?